#201 JaQuavious Harris: 2:13 marathon debut & being saved by Coach Ed Eyestone

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Kristian sits down with JaQuavious "JQ" Harris, a professional runner for Saucony who ran a 2:13 in his marathon debut, for what became one of the most emotional and important conversations in the podcast's history.

JQ opens up about being an openly gay Black runner navigating BYU's religious community, a mental health crisis and suicide attempt in 2020, and the extraordinary support of his coach, Ed Eyestone, who tracked down his new phone number after JQ isolated himself and told him simply: I need you alive. JQ shares what it's actually like to live publicly after coming out, the criticism he still receives from strangers online, and how grace, faith, and his relationship with his coach carried him through. The conversation closes with his running story: junior college success, turning pro with Saucony, battling injuries, and the strategy behind his breakthrough 2:13 marathon debut in California.

In this episode:

- Being an openly gay Black professional runner

- Navigating a religious college environment while coming out

- A mental health crisis and suicide attempt in 2020

- The phone call from his coach that helped save his life

- What life actually looks like after coming out publicly

- Facing criticism and unsolicited opinions from strangers online

- Junior college success and turning pro with Saucony

- Battling injuries through his first two pro seasons

- Race recap: executing a 2:13 marathon debut in California

- What's next: chasing an Olympic Trials qualifying time

Content note: this episode includes an open, detailed discussion of a suicide attempt and mental health crisis, as well as experiences of religious and social discrimination. Please take care while listening. If you are struggling yourself, please know that support is available and you don't have to go through it alone.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and why this episode is different

02:10 Introducing JQ: professional runner, content creator, introvert

05:31 Being seen as an extrovert while feeling like an introvert

16:21 His start in running and a coach who almost turned him away

17:26 A qualifying race that changed everything

33:54 Introducing Coach Ed Eyestone and what he means to JQ

35:19 Being gay in a religious school and community

38:32 What actually happens after you come out

40:14 Facing criticism and unsolicited opinions from strangers

44:12 Losing his middle school coach and learning to forgive

1:29:44 Being welcomed into Coach Eyestone's family every Thanksgiving

1:30:44 Being gay at BYU and reaching an all time low

1:31:14 A suicide attempt in 2020 and the isolation of the pandemic

1:32:06 The phone call: "I need you alive"

1:52:18 Turning pro and setting national records in college

1:53:52 Two years, two six month injuries as a pro

1:56:00 Building toward his first marathon

2:28:59 Race strategy and executing his 2:13 marathon debut

2:32:20 Crossing the finish line and celebrating with friends

2:34:04 Closing thoughts and where to follow JQ

JQ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisjaquavious/

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